I can’t say for sure but I did read that spot fixing is apparently deemed a possible criminal offence, not sure how true it is or not. I’d imagine it’s also because a player is directly affecting the outcome of certain instances in matches they’re involved in. Toney and Tonali simply betting on games without the intent to affect them is likely why they get months instead of years bans.
Because Tonali and Toney's charges were related to gambling/betting on games, whereas with Paqueta, it's to do with spot-fixing. Spot-fixing is considered a way more serious offence. When I look at the 4 incidents where he's been deemed to 'intentionally' receive a card, it's hard to argue that he's not done this in a calculated manner so that others can benefit/profit from it. On top of that, he's also been charged with failing to comply with the FA's requests for documents and information, so that won't help matters. EDIT: some people did point this out and recognised a suspect pattern of behaviour it seems.
If a player bets (for a game they are actually playing in) on the exact score come FT, W/D/L etc, that is much more difficult to affect. Bets involving whether that player gets yellow/red cards etc is directly able to be influenced by a player themselves. Therefore you would expect the latter to be punished far more seriously (and for each betting incident shown - how precise the bet definition is when compared to the what/when of the incident) .
I assume Toney and Tonali never bet against their own team, as that would be match fixing potentially. Paqueta's charge would be against his own teams interest.
Tbh I'm quite impressed he actually managed to carry his bets through given the state of the PGMOL. Michael Oliver could look at a two footed studs up lunge from two yards and happily wave play on.
I suspect that for Internet betting sites that publicly offer such wagers, it would not be difficult to do data analytics on player foul/card histories vs the wager nature/odds, and easily find those wagers that are highly likely to be corrupt.
I think even betting against their own team’s result is still a situation they can’t essentially fully control. Well unless they fancied running in the opposite direction and slotting it past their own keeper, lol. Whereas picking up cards is absolutely something any player can choose to get and the videos of Paqueta’s bookings in the games he’s being investigated for looks plain as day that he’s deliberately copped them.
Remember out game at their place when Paqueta wiped out Maddison, then booted the ball away? It came after he committed a series of fouls and he still didn't get booked. He must've been fuming with the officials afterwards! Sky compilation of the incidents: https://www.skysports.com/football/...d-by-fa-for-alleged-breaches-of-betting-rules The 4th is incredibly blatant, as he knew he was getting subbed, so it was his last chance. Didn't get booked for the handball, so he mouthed off until he got a yellow.
Lot of chat that ten Hag’s gone after the FA Cup final regardless of result. We had a good ride, boys and girls. Here’s hoping he’s replaced by Southgate.
There's some bullshit going around that it's already done, but they won't announce it because of the Euros. Sounds like nonsense to me, but it would be very, very funny.
We are oft informed that CL participation is a big "trigger" event for the amounts of money that Man Utd sponsors have to pay per season. So managers who are not delivering at least that always have their neck on the block. To not even qualify for the EL should seal his fate.
Yes, it is. It has long been a source of income for gangsters. The Richardsons were very adept at it - although it was boxing mainly. It’s very easy for a fighter to go down in a particular round.
He has to go. Utd finished 8th, that’s horrific for them. Add in the issues he’s had with players (Sancho, Rashford), the lack of any style of football, the poor signings (Antony, Onana etc) and it’s amazing they gave him this long.
There's also been a bunch in cricket, resulting in some jail terms. One example: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51419342
Palace reject, Alexander Sorloth, has scored 23 goals for Villarreal this season. The South London club loaned him out to Trabsonspor for the 19/20 campaign. He scored 33 goals. Palace scored 31.